Yesterday, North Carolina Amendment 1, which sought to define marriage solely between a man and a woman, passed with a vote of 61 percent to 39 percent making North Carolina the 31^st state that defines marriage as a heterosexual partnership through a constitutional amendment.

“North Carolina’s vote against marriage equality is a clear case of discrimination in our community. No one’s rights should be put up to a public referendum,” says Ben de Guzman, Co-Director of Programs of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), a close ally of OCA. “We are proud of the AAPI community that stepped forward in the campaign against Amendment 1 in North Carolina.”

As our organization reaffirms its commitment to a national resolution passed in 1994 denouncing discriminatory policies and practices based on sexual orientation, we reiterate the need for legal recognition for individuals in marriage and other committed familial relationships without limitation based upon race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation, framed within a national resolution passed in 2007.

Within the APA community, there are many same-sex relationships that continue to contribute to society with the same commitment as heterosexual couples. For decades, the LGBT community has faced blatant discrimination that continues to lay within legal limitations, including employment discrimination, property rights, and privilege related to immigration status of loved ones that comes with marriage.  According to UCLA Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy (2006), almost 40,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are in same-sex relationships. A lack of legal protections excludes APA LGBT individuals from 1,100 federal rights that come with marriage. Moreover, with full inclusion of LGBT women and men serving in our military with pride and dignity, it is truly a shame that this country is not able to extend the same rights and privileges in which they are defending that their heterosexual counterparts are able to enjoy.

With the results of North Carolina withstanding, we are nevertheless encouraged by the most recent statement offered by President Obama as part of an interview with ABC News today where he aptly emphasizes, “it is important… that… same sex couples should be able to get married.” Additionally, in 2011, former Vice President Dick Cheney in an interview with his wife on the ABC talk show The View, stated, “I think freedom means freedom for everybody,” adding, “and you ought to have the right to make whatever choice you want to make with respect to your own personal situation…I certainly don’t have any problem with it.” These firm endorsements by opinion leaders of both parties not only align with the civil rights initiative that OCA has been defending for decades but what is simply just.  Let us continue to embrace the hopes and aspirations of APA LGBT rights along with all of our policy priorities.

CONTACT

Tom Hayashi | Executive Director

202 223 5500 | thayashi@ocanational.org

LOST YEARS is an epic documentary touching upon 150 years of the Chinese diaspora in Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia, covering four generations of racism as revealed through the journey and family story of Kenda Gee. Kenda, a Chinese Canadian, travels with his father to China to retrace the steps of his great-grandfather, exactly a century ago, and grandfather, who sailed to Canada in the summer of 1921. For thousands of Chinese immigrants that year, it was a journey of hope that turned into a nightmare when they were confronted with racism and the head tax, depriving them of their rights as citizens.

LOST YEARS is Winner, Best Documentary Award (History & Culture) & Prize, 9th Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, Dec 5, 2011. It is nominated for 6 Rosies, 38th AMPIA Awards, May 12, 2012; the Golden Sheaf Award, 65th Yorkton Film Festival, May 24-27, 2012; and, Best Documentary Cinematography, 55th Canadian Society of Cinematographers Gala Awards, Toronto.

Lost Years Official Selection is sponsored by:

4Culture, Canadian Studies Center – University of Washington, National Endowment for the Arts, Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, Washington State
Arts Commission

web: www.lostyears.ca | www.twitter.com/lostyearspro | www.facebook.com/lostyearsface | www.youtube.com/lostyearstube | events:
www.twitter.com/LostyearsAlerts

“Men and women of all races are born with the same range of abilities. But ability is not just the product of birth. Ability is stretched or stunted by the family that you live with, and the neighborhood you live in—by the school you go to and the poverty or the richness of your surroundings. It is the product of a hundred unseen forces playing upon the little infant, the child, and finally the man.”

The death of Private Danny Chen is a stark reminder of the murder of Vincent Chin in 1982. Chin was beaten to death in Detroit by two white autoworkers who thought he was Japanese, whom the two blamed for the severe downturn in the U.S. auto industry and the lost of jobs. Although the two were charged with and pleaded guilty to manslaughter, they merely received three years probation and a $3000 fine. (Later, federal charges were brought against the two for violating Chin’s civil rights. One was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison, but released on a $20,000 bond, and the other cleared. A federal appeals court overturned that decision on a technicality. The case was then retried
and moved to Cincinnati, where the jury cleared the defendant of all charges.)

Like the Vincent Chin, the death of Private Danny Chen was, in large part, due to his race and ethnicity. Private Chen was found dead in Afghanistan after being subject to excessive mistreatment and racial taunts by his superiors. They, this group of superiors,  singled Chen out almost daily and called yelled racial slurs: “gook,” “chin”, “dragon lady.” They forced him to do sprints while carrying a sandbag. They ordered him to crawl along a gravel-covered ground while they flung rocks at him. One day, they went as far as forcing him to wear a green hard-hat and shout out instructions to his fellow soldiers in Chinese.

Eight superiors, including an officer, have been charged in connection with Private Chen’s death, with offenses ranging from dereliction of duty to negligent homicide and involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. We are now waiting for the eight to be court-martialed. We demand justice for Private Danny Chen and his parents, who lost their only child.
Private Danny Chen would have turned 20 years old on May 26th. To ensure justice in the trial of the eight soldiers charged, OCA-New York has began a campaign to collect 10,000 birthday cards by May 14th with a message that reflects the fight for justice for him. (Greater Seattle- OCA hopes to collect 500 or more of these birthday cards.) In mid- May, OCA-NY will take the birthday cards to members of the U.S. Senate and House Armed Forces Committees in Washington, D.C. to remind them that we want justice for Private Danny Chen. On May 24th, at Manhattan’s Chinatown’s Pace High School, where Danny Chen went, OCA-NY will be holding a “Birthday Salute to Private Danny Chen.” Proceeds from that event will be used to mobilize people (including sending Chen’s parents) to attend the court martial trials at Ft. Bragg and for educating people worldwide of Chen’s case.

Meanwhile, OCA-NY and OCA National has been meeting with higher-ranking military officers (including Asian Americans), military law professors, and others regarding ways to reduce harassment in the military. As of now, the thinking centers on getting the President Barrack Obama, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to issue an
Executive Order on harassment the military that focuses on greater enforcement of rules against harassment and raising the penalties of those found guilty of harassment.

Sincerely,

Doug Chin, President
Greater Seattle OCA

OCA, founded as the Organization of Chinese Americans in 1973, is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Chinese and other Asian Pacific Americans (APAs). There are over 80 chapters and affiliates nationwide; the Seattle chapter was formed in 1995.

The chapter is seeking an energetic and motivated Director who will work under the guidance of the chapter’s Board to help implement and manage its goals, objectives, policies, and projects. The Director must be a self-starter, able to work independently and able to develop, prioritize, and implement a manageable work plan.

This position requires a person with strong written and oral presentation skills and a deep commitment to the OCA mission. Experience working in or with community agencies, and/or on APA causes is desirable.

Responsibilities and Duties:
• Researches, analyzes and monitors issues particularly related to the civil rights of APAs
• Develops and maintains a strong relationship and communications with the chapter’s Board and members
• Develops and maintains a strong relationship with other APA and organizations engaged with social, political and economic justice
• Serves as the liaison between the Board/chapter, and the community
• Advocates the positions of the Board on various issues
• Assumes lead in organizing and implementing the chapter’s fundraisers
• Works with the Board to develop and implement the budget and work plan
• Other duties as assigned by the Board.

This is a part time position (15hrs/week), with a start date of January 2, 2012.

How to apply:
Email or postal mail a cover letter and resume to info@ocaseattle.org or PO Box 3013, Seattle, WA 98114. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.

OCA-Greater Seattle has responded to this action alert with the following letter:
NO on street car rail lines on 8th Ave So

July 27, 2011

Dear Council President Conlin and Seattle City Councilmembers:

OCA-Greater Seattle, an advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans, is deeply concerned about and rejects the proposed street car rail lines on 8th Avenue South.

These street car rail lines CANNOT and should NOT run along 8th Avenue South between So Jackson Street and Dearborn Ave. Safe and usable access to this neighborhood is vital for our residents, businesses, service providers, and visitors. Your decision puts hundreds of children, elderly, and people with disabilities – who are the most vulnerable members of our community – at risk every day by creating a barrier to an already busy neighborhood.

Although you say that such a system has worked in other cities, this is not to say it will work in this neighborhood. 8th Avenue South is one of the critical pathways in the International District where residents and visitors – many who are not fully-able bodied and who need additional assistance (young or old) more so than the typical person to move about – seek necessary social and health services. How will those in wheelchairs – whom we see daily – go about their business with these lines in the way? It is already difficult for them – as is – to navigate their way around; why pose this barrier?

8th Avenue South is also home to many family-owned businesses who rely on the smooth flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic to simply maintain their livelihood, given the economy we are in. And parking is already a prime commodity in this neighborhood; the rail lines wouldn’t make parking any easier, and especially for those who must park as close as possible to their place of business. We urge you to identify a new route to the Charles Street maintenance facility that does not unnecessarily compromise the public safety of our community. Whatever this new route is, you owe it to us to engage with us proactively in the conversation and in the impact of this decision. Unless you yourself spend some quality time in this neighborhood, you won’t fully understand the hardships you are imposing on those who live, work, and do business here. On top of that, imagine if you are older or have a disability that prevents you from getting around and seeking services along 8th Avenue South, only to be limited by these rail lines that do not add any positive or safe value.

Thank you,
Kim Nguyen
OCA-Greater Seattle President,
Board of Directors
info@ocaseattle.org
www.ocaseattle.org

July 21, 2011

We need your help!

The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is
developing the First Hill Streetcar line that will run along Broadway and Jackson Streets.
While our community has actively participated in the main route, SDOT decided to place
the streetcar maintenance facility at the Charles Street yard, using 8th Avenue South for
access. Without adequate notice to property owners, major tenants and residents, the
City is unnecessarily putting our patients, clients, residents and visitors at risk and
obstructing emergency and business services. This means construction impacts along
8th Avenue South with an out-of-service streetcar passing through this busy street in
perpetuity.

The streetcar’s maintenance line along 8th Avenue South unnecessarily presents serious
hazards for hundreds of our community members: elderly and people with disabilities
who call Legacy House home; patients and clients who seek health care at ICHS;
children who attend the Denise Louie Education Center; and visitors to the Wing Luke
Museum. Many more patronize the International District branch of the Seattle Public
Library, the Community Center and local businesses on this street.

Please help us call or email the Mayor and the City Council today and through
next week!

“Please do not run street car rail lines on 8th Avenue South between South
Jackson Street and Dearborn Avenue. Hundreds of children, elderly, and people
with disabilities—the most vulnerable members of our community—should not be
put at risk every day. Please find a new route to the Charles Street maintenance
facility that does not unnecessarily compromise the public safety of our
community.”

Call or e-mail Mayor McGinn and City Council Members

Mayor McGinn
o Phone: 206- 684-4000
o Email http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/citizen_response.htm

Richard Conlin, Council President
o Phone: 206-684-8805
o Email: richard.conlin@seattle.gov
Sally Bagshaw
o Phone: 206-684-8801
o Email: sally.bagshaw@seattle.gov
Tim Burgess

1 of 2

o Phone: 206-684-8806
o Email: tim.burgess@seattle.gov
Sally J. Clark
o Phone: 206-684-8802
o Email: sally.clark@seattle.gov
Jean Godden
o Phone: 206-684-8807
o Email: jean.godden@seattle.gov
Bruce A. Harrell
o Phone: 206-684-8804
o Email: bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
Nick Licata
o Phone: 206-684-8803
o Email: nick.licata@seattle.gov
Mike O’Brien
o Phone: 206-684-8800
o Email: mike.obrien@seattle.gov
Tom Rasmussen
o Phone: 206-684-8808
o Email: tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov

Thank you for helping us keep 8th Avenue South safe for our kids, elderly, residents,
staffs, and visitors!

Teresita Batayola, International Community Health Services
Maiko Winkler-Chin, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and
Development Authority
Janice Deguchi, Denise Louie Education Center
Hyeok Kim, Interim ICDA
Sharyne Shiu-Thornton, Executive Director of the International District Housing Alliance
Beth Takekawa, Wing Luke Museum

Every summer a street fair and festival takes place in Chinatown International District as a way for visitor and the community to celebrate and promote the economic growth of the ID together. This year’s theme is Dragonfest, though there might have been some debates over the name, the IE still proudly provided media sponsorship as always. The International Examiner has been the official media sponsor of the ID summer festivals over the past few years, we are proud to show you what our community has to offer. So if you missed the festival, still come on down to the ID and enjoy all the food, shops, and fun!